Making a black blade

[Anders]

I have a character in an RPG who's a fighter, and I thought he should have a jet black sword because of Rule of Cool. How would I acquire such a blade? Paint? Sooting it?

[DanHoward]

Holding it over a flame will temporarily blacken it but the soot easily runs off. There are a few heat treatments that will leave it very dark - from deep blue to gloss black. One simple method is to cover it with dirty oil and hold it in a fire for a while. Most treatments wear off eventually. The edge will become shiny again the next time you sharpen it.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Holding it over a flame will temporarily blacken it but the soot easily runs off. There are a few heat treatments that will leave it very dark - from deep blue to gloss black. One simple method is to cover it with dirty oil and hold it in a fire for a while. Most treatments wear off eventually. The edge will become shiny again the next time you sharpen it.

I was afraid heating would ruin the blade?

[DanHoward]

You need a furnace to have much of an effect on heat treatment. Maybe the hottest coals in a campfire but not an open flame.

[Anders]

Ok. Thanksalot. :)

[alexondria]

also depends on the time period.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1208153140.htm

[Peter Knutsen]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

You need a furnace to have much of an effect on heat treatment. Maybe the hottest coals in a campfire but not an open flame.

Wouldn't a bellows-pumprf charcoal fire be hot enough?

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

Wouldn't a bellows-pumprf charcoal fire be hot enough?

The oil and soot blackening treatments require nothing hotter than the flame from a small camp fire (you can get soot from a candle). It is nowhere near hot enough to effect heat treatment.

[Peter Knutsen]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

Holding it over a flame will temporarily blacken it but the soot easily runs off. There are a few heat treatments that will leave it very dark - from deep blue to gloss black. One simple method is to cover it with dirty oil and hold it in a fire for a while. Most treatments wear off eventually. The edge will become shiny again the next time you sharpen it.

Does that degrade the quality of the blade?

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by Peter Knutsen

Does that degrade the quality of the blade?

See posts 4 and 5.